On Oct. 7, the Cambridge Public Health Department announced that three of the confirmed Massachusetts cases were Cambridge residents. Read the Cambridge update.

On Sept. 23, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised the risk of WNV infection to "high" in Cambridge and 12 other Boston-area communities due to the identification of multiple human cases in the area.

On Aug. 18, state health officials reported that two mosquito samples in Cambridge had tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquito samples were collected from a trap in West Cambridge. No additional Cambridge samples have tested positive in 2016. Read the Cambridge update.

What is the current risk?

As of Oct. 7, 2016, there was a high risk of West Nile virus infection in Cambridge and surrounding communities.

Risk of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts will continue until the first hard frost, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

To learn more about risk of West Nile virus in Cambridge and the state, see the risk map and testing results from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

What You Can Do

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

For more information on how to protect yourself, see the Cambridge Public Health Department's Prevention Tips.

Reduce Mosquito Breeding Areas

In New England, the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are "container breeding" species. These mosquitoes lay their eggs in still or stagnant water found in catch basins, roof gutters clogged with leaves, old tires, flower pots, bird baths, swimming pool covers, buckets, cans, barrels, and other places where water can be trapped. Tenants, property managers, and homeowners can greatly reduce the city's mosquito population by removing mosquito breeding areas on their property.

Remove stagnant water from your property

Empty or treat any items that hold water, such as flower pots, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, cans, and barrels.

Clean rain gutters, leaves in downspouts, and pooled water on flat roofs.

Remove unused tires and other items that could collect water.

Remove containers that may hold water in places that are hard to see, such as under bushes, porches, decks, or stairs.

When you can't get rid of stagnant water by sweeping or other methods (such as Mosquito Dunk, a product sold in hardware stores), please report the address or location of the puddle or still water source to the appropriate city department:

Private property: Cambridge Public Health Department, 617-665-3848

Public property (roads, parks): Cambridge Dept. of Public Works, 617-349-4800

Construction sites: Cambridge Inspectional Services, 617-349-6100

If you have questions or local concerns about West Nile virus or stagnant water, please contact the Cambridge Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 617-665-3838 or contact Environmental Health staff at slipson@challiance.org.

For general information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's arbovirus website and the CDC's West Nile virus website.

Last updated on October 11, 2016

CONTACT

For general questions about West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis, please call 617-665-3838.